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What is a dominant follicle? Any woman who is interested in the structure of her body, and especially who is at the stage of planning a pregnancy, should know the answer to this question. Find out the structure, functions, stages of maturation, size and other important and interesting points.

The female reproductive system has a complex structure. The basis of future life is a reproductive cell called an egg. Every month it matures in the ovary, then comes out of it and unites with sperm to give birth to a new life. The functions of protecting immature eggs (oocytes) are performed by the functional follicular cells surrounding them and located in the outer layers of the appendages, which are later transformed to fulfill their main purpose.

On what day should I do an ultrasound to find out if the follicle is maturing?

At the beginning of the menstrual cycle, follicular cells begin to rapidly develop and form vesicles. One of them grows faster than the others: it is dominant, and it is in it that the egg cell maturing and preparing for fertilization is located. At the same time, the rest go into involution, that is, they return to their previous initial state.

Follicles are formed even before a girl is born.
The total number is about 1 million, but some are destroyed, and by the time puberty ends, about 200-300 thousand remain. But during the entire reproductive period, no more than 500 pieces manage to fully mature; the rest are destroyed and excreted from the body.

Stages of development

Over the entire period of a woman’s life, starting from birth, follicles go through several stages of development:

1. Primordial stage. These are immature follicular cells that are formed during the formation of a female fetus. They are very small and do not exceed 0.05 millimeters in diameter. Follicles capable of reproducing by division are covered with epithelium and move to the next stage.
2. Primary or preantral formations reach 0.2 mm in diameter. During active puberty of a girl, the pituitary gland actively synthesizes folliculotropin, which accelerates the development of cells, strengthens their membranes and forms a protective layer.
3. Secondary or antral follicles increase in size to 0.5 mm. Their total number is about 8-10. Under the influence of estrogen, the internal cavity begins to fill with liquid, which stretches the walls and provokes the rapid growth of bubbles. Secondary follicles, by the way, are considered temporary organs endocrine system producing hormones.
4. As a rule, only one follicular formation passes into the next stage - the dominant one. It becomes the most voluminous and contains an egg that is almost completely mature and ready for fertilization. The bubble consists of large quantity granulosa cells and is designed to provide reliable protection of the oocyte until ovulation. The remaining secondary follicles at this time synthesize estrogens, which ensure the rapid development of the main vesicle.
5. The tertiary or preovulatory vesicle is called a graafian vesicle. Follicular fluid completely fills its cavity, its volume increases a hundred times compared to the original. During ovulation, the sac ruptures and an egg is released.

Maturation in each menstrual cycle

From the beginning of the menstrual cycle, about 8-10 secondary follicles are formed in both ovaries. From about the eighth or ninth day of the cycle, the bubbles begin to fill with liquid formed under the influence of estrogen synthesized by the female body. And already at this stage the dominant follicle is noticeable: it is larger than the others, and this can be seen on an ultrasound.

The bubble continues to fill with fluid, stretches and bursts at the moment of ovulation. A mature egg is released, which will begin to move along the fallopian tube into the uterus to connect with the sperm. On what day does the breakup occur? This depends on the duration of the menstrual cycle: if it lasts 28-30 days, then ovulation and, accordingly, the release of the egg from the burst follicle occurs on the 14-16th day (counting from the beginning of menstruation).

In place of the ruptured vesicle, a corpus luteum is formed - a temporary endocrine gland that actively synthesizes progesterone and prepares the uterus for a possible pregnancy. The hormone produced makes the endometrium loose and soft so that the fertilized egg can firmly establish itself in it and begin to develop.

Normal sizes

What is the size of the dominant follicle? It grows from the beginning of the menstrual cycle until ovulation, and its diameter is constantly changing. Let's look at the norms for different periods:

• From the 1st to the 4th day of the cycle, all bubbles have approximately the same size - about 2-4 millimeters.
• On the fifth day, the diameter reaches 5-6 mm.
• On the 6th day, the vesicle will grow to 7-8 mm in diameter.
• By the seventh or eighth day, the follicle will reach a size of about 10-13 millimeters.
• On the 9-10th day, the diameter increases to 13-17 mm.
• By the 11-12th day the size increases to 19-21 mm.
• Before ovulation, the diameter can be about 22 mm.
• During ovulation, the dominant follicle has a size of 23-24 millimeters.

Normally, active growth begins around the fifth day of the menstrual cycle and is about two mm per day.

In which ovary will the dominant follicle mature?

The dominant follicle can mature in both the left and right ovaries. In healthy women who do not have pathologies or diseases of the reproductive system, the appendages function fully and alternately. That is, if in the last cycle a mature egg left the follicle of the right ovary, then in the next menstrual cycle the oocyte will mature in the left appendage.

Scientists have noticed that the dominant follicle most often matures in the right ovary. Some researchers have associated this with more active innervation of this side in right-handed people, which is the vast majority of women. In other words, the right side functions more, so the right appendage is better supplied with blood and oxygen, which stimulates the maturation of the vesicle.

A more rare occurrence is two dominant follicles formed in both ovaries at once. In this case, a multiple pregnancy is possible, and the twins born will be fraternal and not similar to each other. It is theoretically possible for two different biological fathers to conceive if the follicles do not mature at the same time and the eggs are released at the same time. different time at a certain interval.

Possible pathologies

Let's look at some deviations from the norm:

• There is no dominant follicle. This suggests that there will most likely not be ovulation in the current menstrual cycle. Every healthy woman experiences anovulatory cycles once or twice a year. If you don't ovulate for several months in a row, this is not normal.
• Multiple follicles or so-called multifollicular ovaries are a deviation that develops as a result of hormonal disorders. The dominant follicle may be absent or develop slowly, which will reduce the chance of conception.
• Cyst formation. The dominant follicle does not burst, fills with fluid and stretches, forming a benign formation - a cyst (it can grow or regress on its own, that is, burst and disappear).
• Atresia is a slowdown, stopping the growth of the main vesicle and its subsequent death without the release of a mature egg.
• Persistence. The dominant follicle reaches the desired size, but does not rupture and remains unchanged until the onset of menstruation. Conception becomes impossible.
• Luteinization. The corpus luteum begins to form when there is a whole follicle in the ovary.

The listed pathologies are noticeable on ultrasound and are caused by hormonal imbalances or diseases of the reproductive system.

A dominant follicle is necessary for fertilization. But conception will occur if the vesicle is formed correctly and a mature egg is released from it. The information presented in the article will help you understand the mechanism of fertilization and identify some problems.

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Discussion: 12 comments

Hello. Ultrasound of the follicle on days 13, 14, 15. Does it make sense to take 3 days in a row?

Answer

1. Yes, it makes sense to conduct an ultrasound every two to three days. Also for monitoring the endometrium to predict the date of ovulation.

   Answer

Hello, there was a delay of 2 weeks, then my period came, but 2 days before it my right ovary began to pull a little. This continued during menstruation. And now they are over, but the nagging pain has not disappeared. On the seventh day of the cycle I went for an ultrasound, they said that everything was fine, in the right ovary there was a dominant follicle of 16 mm. They said that the pain may be related to the growth of the follicle. Is this true and when will the pain go away?

Answer

1. Hello, Natalia! Yes, this is usually due to the growth of a dominant follicle. If the pain continues for a long time, it is worth undergoing an examination for pathologies of the reproductive system.

   Hello! 11 months have passed since the second birth. I am breastfeeding my child. I took Lactinet and my periods stopped. On the 15th day I did a folliculometry test, the diagnosis was MFN, there was no dominant follicle. They were like this even before pregnancy. The cycle was extended, up to 50 days. I became pregnant after discontinuing OK. Ovulation occurred at 16 dmc and 18 dmc Question: is ovulation possible in this cycle if there is no dominant follicle on the ultrasound on the 15th day?

   Answer

   1. Hello Amina! Unfortunately, ovulation is impossible without a dominant follicle, but don’t worry, it may appear in the next cycles. Take care of your health, eat right, and if necessary, consult with your doctor about resolving this issue. You may need to take tests, including hormone tests, and also change your lifestyle to prepare your body for conception and pregnancy.

      Answer

Hello, help me figure it out, we are planning to conceive a girl three days before the release of the egg. Cycle 29-31 days, 11 dc foliculometry showed a dominant follicle of 11 mm and the doctor said the egg would be released on days 15-16. PA was at 13 dc early in the morning, exactly three days before the release!!!, immediately the lower abdomen began to tighten, the egg whites increased (usually 2-3 days before O), and at 16-00 there were brown streaks on the underwear, at 14 dc, the nagging, throbbing pain continued and at 17-00 foliculometry showed that the follicle had begun!!! release fluid, the doctor said that free fluid was being scanned around the ovary and that ovulation had just begun. QUESTION: did it really start today (14 dc) or did it start on 13 dc, because... If there are 13, then the Y chromosomes will definitely make it ((((, and if 14, then more than 30 hours have passed and the Y chromosomes have died and X chromosomes (girls))) remain

Answer

1. Hello Nina! You should trust the doctor’s words and in your case the probability of conceiving a girl is still greater since the X chromosomes live up to 5 days. During the day or during ovulation, there is a greater chance of having a boy.

   Answer

The cyclical changes that occur in a woman’s body are caused by hormones, so the size of the follicle before ovulation plays a significant role. At the beginning of menstruation, only a few follicles mature. Only one, the dominant one, reaches the required diameter, while others develop on the contrary, that is, they become atretic.

The diameter of the follicles is important to know if you have infertility. At the initial stage of treatment, hormonal drugs are used that stimulate the growth of follicles. After which they acquire the dimensions of the main follicle, where the maturation of the egg ready for fertilization occurs.

A successful pregnancy is possible if there are a large number of eggs. It is important to know the exact size of the follicles after ovulation in order for the long-awaited conception to take place.

Basal temperature measurement

Ovulation is the time of the menstrual cycle when a mature egg enters the abdominal cavity. The onset of this moment is expressed by various signs. The most noticeable are pain in the lower abdomen, increased sexual desire and discomfort.

To find out the features of her menstrual cycle, every woman should know her basal temperature. It is measured early in the morning, when you have not yet gotten out of bed. The results must be entered into a graph, where the indicators are marked on one axis and the day of menstruation on the other.

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For most representatives of the fair sex, the temperature is first reduced, and only then does it increase. It is generally accepted that ovulation begins after 12 hours from the moment of decrease. You can tell exactly when the egg will be released by carefully analyzing the graphs of several months of monitoring the body temperature.

It is worth remembering that the egg did not release into the abdominal cavity if the temperature did not change. At the moment of ovulation, the rectal temperature will increase by about 3 divisions. It wouldn’t hurt every woman to do folliculometry and carry out tests.

When examined at the antenatal clinic, some signs are visible, the main one of which is clear mucus on the cervix. Discharges tend to crystallize over time. To determine ovulation, many today use a device called Baby-Plan.

What is folliculometry

The most accurate method of determination is folliculometry. This procedure is based on the use of ultrasound and allows you to track the maturation of the egg, as well as record the size of the endometrium in the first part of the cycle and outline the exact timing of the release of the egg in the second period.

To obtain correct information, the observation process must be started from 8 or 10 days after the start of menstruation and repeated after a period of 2 days. If the egg is released during this time, the procedure is stopped. If not, then it continues until the next menstruation.

Medicine cannot give an exact answer to the question of what the size of the follicle is at ovulation. Gynecologists say that its dimensions should be from 18 mm to 24 mm. The indicators directly depend on the characteristics of the body of the fair half of humanity and on the regulation of folliculogenesis hormones.

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To correctly determine the moment of ovulation, you need to understand the time frame of the cycle. The first day is the start date of menstruation, and the last day is the day before the start of the menstrual cycle. The standard cycle is 28 days.

It is characterized by the following indicators. Within a week, the diameter of the follicle reaches from 2 mm to 6 mm. On the tenth day, a dominant follicle can be identified, the size of which can range from 12 mm to 15 mm. During this time, other follicles decrease and disappear, and the development of dominant growth will be 3 mm per day.

The ovulation phase occurs on days 12-14 of the menstrual cycle. The follicle size at this time should be 24 mm. After which it will burst and the egg will come out. Her life will last about 36 hours.

Spouses who dream of conceiving a child should monitor the time of ovulation with utmost responsibility. If everything goes well, then after a while a new person is born.

The egg can be released into the abdominal cavity even with a size of 35 mm. A 16 mm follicle can also enter the uterine cavity, which is due to the individuality and uniqueness of each individual case.

Ovulation has occurred if:

• at the time of ovulation a mature follicle was noticed;
• a week after the planned ovulation, progesterone in the blood increases noticeably;
• the follicle enlarged dynamically;
• the follicle disappeared after possible ovulation;
• instead of a follicle, a corpus luteum has formed;
• An unknown fluid has formed behind the uterus, which indicates a ruptured follicle.

Pathological manifestations and causes

The development of the egg may be impaired due to frequent stress, hormonal imbalances and medications. The causes of the pathology are:

1. Poor functioning of the thyroid gland. A woman’s reproductive system depends on thyroid hormones, the excess and deficiency of which have a detrimental effect on it.
2. Hormonal disorders.
3. Excess of a hormone such as prolactin, which slows down the growth of eggs. The follicles do not enter the maturation phase, since the body perceives this as breastfeeding, and pregnancy is not needed.
4. Long-term use of contraception. The remedy is chosen incorrectly if the egg development processes are disrupted. If your general health worsened while taking the pills, side effects, then you need to urgently visit a doctor.

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Often women experience problems with egg maturation. It is important to identify in time the reason why ovulation does not occur and the size of the follicles does not reach normal. One of the factors is dysfunction of the ovaries and parts of the brain. Inflammation in the pelvic organs also has a detrimental effect on the development of the egg.

Increased pressure inside the skull, neoplasm of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus have a negative effect on the development of the egg. The consequences may be different:

• there will be no follicle in the ovary;
• there will be a failure in the development of follicles - they will stop at one stage and begin to regress;
• follicles cannot reach the desired size;
• the egg is not released.

Follicle maturation early stage or delay are also an indicator of a disruption in the ovulation process. In the worst case, persistence of the follicle or the development of a follicular cyst occurs.

Persistence is the process of existence of a non-ovulated follicle, which can persist even after the menstrual cycle.

Occurrence and treatment of cysts

Sometimes there are situations when the follicle does not rupture. This can happen due to too thick walls or problems related to the formation of hormones. The situation becomes more complicated if the follicle develops into a follicular cyst.

The following symptoms are observed with the disease:

• heaviness in the groin area;
• sexual contact and physical labor cause pain;
• the appearance of intermenstrual bleeding;
• painful sensations in last days menstruation intensifies.

To carry out diagnostics, specialists use examination of the abdominal walls and vagina. When the presence of a cyst has been recorded and the size has been determined, the doctor prescribes treatment.

For small tumors, the doctor prescribes oral contraceptives. For sizes larger than 8 mm, suturing is performed. If the leg of the cyst interferes with the blood circulation in the ovary, then it must be removed urgently.

To avoid becoming a victim of a follicular cyst, you must follow basic rules:

• take herbal medicine to regulate hormonal levels;
• do not abuse tanning and taking hot baths;
• start taking vitamins;
• do exercises and various physical exercises.

Many formations disappear after 8 weeks without treatment. A visit to the antenatal clinic will relieve problems of this kind.

It is not possible to independently determine the size of the follicle during ovulation. The exact answer to what state the egg is in will be obtained after an ultrasound scan, which will make it clear when ovulation occurs.

If an egg of a non-standard size is released from the ovary, you should not count on pregnancy, because it is defective. For monthly cycle Several follicles develop, but only one remains, which reaches the required dimensions, the rest decrease and disappear.

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It is rare to observe when 2 or more equal eggs are released.

Women who cannot get pregnant for a long period of time should consult a gynecologist to identify problems. Determining the size of the follicle should be carried out under the supervision of a qualified specialist who will notice changes in time, identify possible pathologies in the development of the egg and, if necessary, draw up a treatment plan.

The ovarian follicle is a structural component of the ovary, the main functions of which are to protect the egg from negative influences and to form the corpus luteum during ovulation. On early development There are approximately 4 million follicles in the fetal ovary, during birth the figure decreases to 1 million, and during puberty it drops to 400 thousand. As a result, only about 400 follicles will have a chance to finally mature during ovulation and form the corpus luteum.

Menstrual cycle

Early phase

At the beginning of the menstrual cycle, the ovary contains 5-8 follicles less than 10 mm in size. During the process of maturation, one of them (in rare cases two) becomes dominant, reaching a size of 14 mm. On the 10th day of the cycle, it begins to distance itself and increase daily by about 2 mm until it ruptures. The remaining follicles begin to undergo a slow process of involution (atresia), their small fragments can be seen on ultrasound throughout the menstrual cycle.

Follicle maturation time

The blood supply to the ovaries increases significantly during the onset of ovulation under the influence of pituitary hormones - gonadotropins FSH and LH. The formation of new blood vessels leads to the appearance of a follicle shell called theca, which gradually begins to surround it from the outside and inside.

Ovulation period

Two criteria that allow you to determine the maturity of the follicle and impending ovulation using ultrasound examination:

• The size of the dominant follicle should be between 20 and 25 mm;
• the cortical plate of the follicle, under the influence of an increase in internal fluid, slightly deforms one of the walls of the shell.

As ovulation occurs, the follicle stretches in size, protrudes slightly above the surface of the ovary and bursts - ovulation occurs.

Luteal phase

After ovulation, the walls of the empty follicle thicken, and its cavity is filled with blood clots - a red body is formed. If fertilization is unsuccessful, it is short term overgrows with connective tissue and turns into a white body, which disappears after a while. In case of successful fertilization, the red body, under the influence of chorionic hormone, increases slightly in size and turns into the corpus luteum, which begins to produce a hormone called progesterone. It increases endometrial growth and prevents the release of new eggs and the onset of menstruation. The corpus luteum disappears at the 16th week of pregnancy.

Empty follicle syndrome

In a small number of cases, during ovarian stimulation for infertility treatment, patients may experience the so-called empty follicle syndrome. It manifests itself with adequate levels of estradiol (a hormone produced by follicle cells) and normally growing follicles, and “dummies” can only be identified by examining them under a microscope.

The exact cause of the symptom is unknown. However, experts were able to find out that the frequency of empty follicles increases with a woman’s age. In most cases, the appearance of the syndrome does not reduce the patient's fertility: follicular maturation and the number of eggs remain normal.

Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a set of symptoms caused by impaired ovarian function, increased levels of insulin in the blood, estrogens and androgens (male hormones) in women. PCOS is the cause of menstrual irregularities, excess weight, the appearance of acne and age spots, the occurrence of pain in the pelvic area, depression and excess body hair.

Currently, the most common definition of polycystic ovary syndrome is the one adopted in 2003 by European experts. According to its content, a diagnosis is made if the examination is carried out during the first six days of the cycle and the woman simultaneously has two of the three symptoms:

1. increased size of the ovaries: surface area more than 5.5 sq.cm, volume more than 8.5 KB.cm;
2. the presence of at least twelve immature follicles less than 10 mm in size, most often located on the periphery of the ovary;
3. the presence of stromal hypertrophy.

The examination is performed using an ultrasound machine and 3D ultrasound. The latter will help to determine the volume of the ovaries and count the number of immature follicles with greater accuracy.

The main methods of treating the syndrome are: lifestyle changes, medication and surgery. Treatment goals fall into four categories:

• reducing the level of insulin resistance;
• restoration of reproductive function;
• getting rid of excess hair growth and acne;
• restoration of a regular menstrual cycle.

For each of these goals, there is significant controversy regarding optimal treatment. One of the main reasons for this is the lack of large-scale clinical studies comparing different kinds treatment. However, many experts recognize that reducing insulin resistance and body weight may have an impact on all treatment goals, as they are the main cause of the syndrome.

Answers on questions

What size must a follicle be for ovulation to occur? The follicle size should be between 20 and 25 mm. If there is a dominant follicle in the ovary, will ovulation occur? Ovulation will occur if an egg develops in the follicle and it is not empty. Can ovulation occur without a dominant follicle? No, he can not. In this case, a condition occurs in which fertilization and pregnancy are impossible. When does ovulation occur with a follicle size of 14 mm? After approximately 4-5 days when this size is reached. How many follicles must there be for ovulation to occur? One dominant follicle, in rare cases two.

Follicles are the components of the ovary. They are needed to protect the egg from various influences. The size of the follicle during ovulation differs from the original one. If it remains unchanged, then this is a sign that the woman is not fertile and is not ovulating.

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Follicle size before ovulation

To conceive, they must develop normally so that a full-fledged egg is released from them. Let's consider what the dominant undergoes during the month.

Norm

What size should a follicle be before ovulation? When they reach seven days of age, their size is between 3-7 mm. On an ultrasound examination, the specialist will see several structural elements that have different stages of development. There shouldn't be more than a dozen of them. From the eighth to the tenth day, the dominant follicle is already visible, which grows to 14 mm. Everyone else becomes smaller and disappears. In 24 hours it increases by 3 mm.

1-2 days before the release of the egg, a vesicle is approximately 18-22 mm in size. It all depends on the menstrual cycle, on days 12-16 the ovulatory phase begins and it bursts.

Deviations

What follicle size before ovulation is abnormal? If before this, and on any day of the cycle, they are all approximately the same size and there is no dominant one, this is a bad signal. This can be seen on ultrasound diagnostics. If one follicle does not mature, then the egg will not be released, as it will not be able to conceive.

Sometimes there are two or three dominant follicles. Afterwards there may be two (three eggs) and the outcome is positive, that is, twins or triplets. Otherwise, the follicles freeze and do not develop further - this is called persistence. There is no ovulation.

Another deviation is the complete absence of follicles. In this case, the reproductive system is completely disrupted and infertility occurs.

Such deviations arise as a result of:

• improper functioning of the ovaries;
• failure, dysfunction of the endocrine system;
• the presence of pituitary or hypothalamic formations;
• frequent inflammatory processes in the reproductive organs;
• regular nervous breakdowns, stress or depression;
• climate change (moving to another country);
• early menopause.

To avoid serious complications, you should not neglect preventive examinations by a gynecologist. If you experience the slightest discomfort or deviation in the pelvic organs, immediately contact medical care. The gynecologist will clearly tell you at your appointment what size the follicle should be during ovulation.

Sometimes the doctor makes a diagnosis of polycystic disease in question. Why? Everything is very simple. Not in all cases, the presence of multiple follicles indicates pathology. This may be temporary and will go away after ovulation. This sometimes occurs after birth control pills, malfunction of the thyroid or adrenal glands, or an excess of prolactin. To find out the cause and establish an accurate diagnosis, you should do an ultrasound examination on certain days of the cycle, which will help you see the dynamics. In addition, hormone tests are taken, the doctor examines the patient in a gynecological chair, and only after all this can we say something more confidently.

Follicle size at ovulation

The woman herself will not be able to find out the size of the dominant follicle; even an obstetrician-gynecologist will not do this during an examination. To measure, you will need special equipment. Size plays a big role, because only a developed egg is capable of fertilization. When ovulation occurs, certain symptoms appear. Knowing them, it will be easier for a woman to protect herself from an unwanted pregnancy or, conversely, to choose the best day for conception.

Norm

What is the size of the follicle at ovulation? Immediately at the time the egg is released, the size of the dominant follicle is already 23-24 mm. After its rupture, the egg is alive for 2 days, no more. This is the most favorable period for fertilization.

Can ovulation occur if the size of the bubble formed is smaller than normal? This is unlikely, but if this happens, the underdeveloped egg will not be ready for fertilization.

Deviations

Sometimes deviations occur in the form of atresia and persistence. Atresia is a disorder in which the follicle does not break its integrity during ovulation. On the contrary, it began to shrink again, the unruptured follicle develops into a cyst-like formation.

For atresia:

• there is low progesterone;
• no corpus luteum;
• there is no free fluid behind the uterus.

This pathology is accompanied by the presence of amenorrhea and periodic bleeding, which occurs 3 to 4 times a year, similar to menstruation. Women who have this dysfunction cannot become pregnant.

The disease develops from the very beginning, that is, during puberty or as a result of hormonal failure, in which the level of lutropin and follicle-stimulating hormone decreases and the follicle does not reach the desired size. As a result, there are menstrual irregularities, amenorrhea and polycystic ovaries appear. The worst thing is infertility.

With persistence, rupture of a mature follicle does not occur. It is in the size of 22-24 mm for a week, then menstruation begins. Sometimes they are not there, and the unruptured blister degenerates into a cyst. This happens due to hormonal imbalances. The symptoms of this pathology are as follows:

• progesterone is reduced;
• estrogens are elevated;
• follicle on systematic ultrasound of the same size;
• there is no fluid in the space behind the uterus and corpus luteum;
• delay of menstruation;
• heavy menstruation.

To correct the situation, doctors prescribe hormone therapy, which normalizes hormone levels. Sometimes laser therapy, ultrasound or electrical stimulation are indicated. Be sure to have good nutrition, healthy sleep, and vitamin supplementation. It is necessary to exclude stress and physical activity.

What size is needed to conceive?

In order for fertilization to occur in the future, the size of the follicle must be optimal.

The maximum follicle size is no higher than 25 mm and no less than 18 mm. If the indicators do not correspond to the norm, then fertilization is unlikely. If such a deviation is repeated from cycle to cycle, then an examination is necessary. The cause of the pathology must be treated immediately. Delay can lead to infertility.

What to do if the size does not correspond to the norm?

If the size of a mature follicle is smaller than normal, ovulation does not occur. This pathology needs to be treated. First of all, a woman must undergo diagnostics. The doctor will determine the cause of the dysfunction.

This usually occurs due to hormonal imbalance. In modern medicine, there are many drugs that help follicles develop normally and as a result, a full-fledged egg appears.

They can appoint:

• "Clomid";
• "Citrate""
• "Clomiphene";
• “Klostilbegit”, etc.

Treatment will begin between the 5th and 9th day of the menstrual cycle. The dose is prescribed by a specialist, who gradually increases it. The regimen is selected individually for each woman; starting to use such products on your own is strictly prohibited. The doctor will see whether there will be ovulation on an ultrasound examination, which monitors the entire therapeutic course.

No one can say how long to wait for normalization; some become pregnant after the 1st course, while others need 2 or more months.

In addition to medications, a woman should adjust her diet. Balanced and balanced diet- an important point. It is necessary that the body receives vitamins, macro and microelements. Iodine is important folic acid, magnesium, vitamin E, etc. This is necessary for the normal functioning of the female reproductive system and to strengthen the immune system. You need to eat vegetables, fruits and grains every day.

The thyroid gland and the levels of all hormones are also checked. Hormonal medications bring everything back to normal, after which eggs will appear normally during ovulation.

You can also try traditional methods, but before you start taking any herbs, you need to consult a doctor again.

Conclusion and conclusion

Women who are planning a pregnancy or those who have been unable to conceive a baby for a long time should know at what size follicle ovulation occurs. If the vesicle from which the finished egg should be released has not reached the appropriate size, then attempts to become a mother will be unsuccessful.

For ovulation, you should adjust your hormonal levels, be less nervous, eliminate overwork and eat well.

Attention! It is necessary to understand that hormones have a huge influence on the timing of egg release (ovulation).

If, during the ovulatory phase, the development of follicular tissue is monitored, it is possible to see a sharp increase in the epithelial cocoon, the release of the egg, and then a decrease. As a result, in its place only a yellow body remains, which is the remnant of this very cocoon.

Growth chart

For the clearest visualization of the development process, we provide below a table of its growth. The data in it are calculated for women 29-32 years of age who do not use oral products, in whom menstrual cycle is strictly regular and lasts the prescribed 28 days.

Cycle day	Follicle size and number
1-4	Several follicles, the diameter of each of which does not exceed 4 millimeters.
5	Several follicles develop evenly (atresia of some of them is acceptable). Size - 5-6 millimeters.
7	One dominant follicle is determined, the size of which reaches 8-9 millimeters. The rest are starting to decline.
8	Here and below, the sizes of only the remaining dominant follicle are indicated. He has already grown to 12 millimeters.
9	14 millimeters
10	16 millimeters
11	18 millimeters
12	20 millimeters
13	22 millimeters
14	24 millimeters. Ovulation occurs.

Why isn't development happening?

The reasons for improper development or even cessation of growth can be many factors. Let's consider the most relevant of them:

1. The hypothalamus or pituitary gland is not working properly.
2. Infections or inflammations of the female genital organs.
3. Body mass index is less than 17.5.
4. Availability .
5. Underdevelopment or pathology of the ovaries.
6. Oncology.
7. Early onset of menopause.
8. Stress.

The search for causes should begin in hormonal imbalances in the female body. Most often, this pathology is the main factor that stops the growth of the follicle in the ovary.

With dysfunction of the pituitary gland or tumors, a deficiency of the hormone FSH begins to be observed in the female body, a violation of the regulation of secretion thyroid gland and ovarian active substances.

Also, inhibition of follicle development can be observed due to poor functioning or underdevelopment of the ovaries.

What happens before your period?

Before the onset of menstruation, a sequential transformation of follicles of the primordial order into those of the preantral, antral and preovulatory order occurs. This process is called folliculogenesis.

Normally, folliculogenesis ends with ovulation - the release of an egg that is mature and completely ready for fertilization. Where the follicle was located, the formation of endocrine active occurs.

Immediately before the onset of menstruation, the dominant follicle ruptures, releasing a mature egg ready for ovulation. Healthy woman You may not even feel the symptoms of a ruptured follicle.

Folliculogenesis begins with FSH, even in the late stage of the luteal phase. This process ends at the peak of gonadotropin release.

One day before the start of menstruation, the body again experiences an increase in FSH levels, which starts the process all over again. The follicular phase, in the absence of any disorders or pathologies, lasts for 14 days.

After menstruation

Most often, menstruation occurs 15-17 days after the onset of folliculogenesis. After the dominant follicle has completed its development, it bursts, as described above, releasing an egg ready for fertilization.

She goes into the uterus and the fallopian tubes to meet spermatozoa, and in place of the ruptured dominant follicle, a corpus luteum is formed.

As for the latter, this neoplasm is a very important transient hormonally active body, functioning for 14 days after its appearance.

It is the main source of androgens, progesterone and estradiol. Further, everything depends on whether fertilization of the egg occurs or not. If fertilization does not occur, then the corpus luteum gradually degrades and is excreted along with the rest of the secretions and the unfertilized cell.

In the event of fertilization, the corpus luteum temporarily provides a sufficient level of necessary hormones for the successful development of pregnancy.

Features of the follicular phase

The follicular phase occurs every time the monthly cycle begins. The main hormone for this period is FSH, which is responsible for stimulating the follicles, as well as ensuring the start and maintenance of the process of formation of ovarian elements.

The duration of the follicular phase can vary between 7 and 22 days. Except active development follicles, this phase is also characterized by the separation and removal of dead endometrium of the uterus.

The follicular phase can be briefly characterized by three processes:

• cleansing the walls of the uterus;
• development and growth of follicles;
• compaction of the renewed endometrial layer in the uterus.

What is the menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle is the period between the regular processes of exfoliation and removal from the body of the spent layer of the endometrium of the uterus.

The cycle must include the first day of menstruation and ending with the first day of the next one.